Desma Louise "Lou" Thomas Atkins

Desma Louise “Lou” Thomas Atkins, 79 of Thomas Rd., Jackson Springs, died Friday, January 16, 2026 at her residence. 

Funeral Service will be 2:30 PM Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Pleasant Hill Methodist Church, with Sig Black and Chaplain Rae Ferrarini officiating.

Born in Durham on March 1, 1946, she was the daughter of Arthur Sherrill and Margaret Desma Brown Thomas. She was a poultry broker and her real passion lay in the creation of Sandhills Animal Rescue League for dogs and cats. She attended High Point College. She also played clarinet in the East Montgomery High School Band and played forward for East Montgomery Ladies Basketball, scoring 45 points in a single game.

She is survived by her husband of 34 years Don T. Maness, her two precious daughters, Karen Lynn Atkins and Kelly Elizabeth Atkins Step son Terry Maness (Suzanne) and Step daughter Tara Maness Ritter, and the light of her life, grandchildren, Tripp and Shiloh Hinson, step grand children Caroline Maness, Amanda Ritter Collins, Ashley Ritter Lunsford, Alecia Ritter Breisch, Ami Cate Ritter, Aaron Ritter, great grandchildren Kayleigh Black , Cayden Black, Clint Collins Glenn Collins, and Bentley Lunsford.

Also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and great nephews and great nieces.

But her most special survivors are her animals. Her cats Marmie, Rudy, Princess Perry, Thomas and Bella were such company and comfort in her final days. Her dogs Olaf, Iris (Big Girl) and Buddy, and the two newest rescues, Bandita Esposita and Louis Louis who were mysteriously discovered after one hospital stay at her home waiting when she was discharged, will be her final rescues and will be placed for adoption with special families.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at Briggs-Candor Funeral Home.

Lou was known for her philanthropy with animals and rescue causes. Louise was the founder and President of Sandhills Animal Rescue League, a 501c3 non-profit she began as a private rescue to handle the growing problem of overpopulation of pets in the Sandhills area. She, being a take charge kind of woman, decided the forgotten pets of the Sandhills were forgotten no more, and would get “FurEver Homes” by adoption through Sandhills Animal Rescue League. From her start in 1999 until she was unable to accept new foster pets in 2015 from poor health , Lou placed thousands of dogs and cats, puppies and kittens, with loving new families. Her patience and kindness guided the organization and her devotion to the spay and neuter cause made a huge impact on the pet population in the Sandhills.

Please make memorial donations in memory of Louise T. Atkins and Sandhills Animal Rescue League to the Montgomery County Humane Society,1150 Okeewemee Rd., Troy NC or the No Kill Shelter of your choice. Please adopt! Don’t Shop! In memory of Lou.

Briggs-Candor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.